Digital Media Licensing Association

Maria Pallante’s Testimony before the House Judiciary Committee

Maria Pallante is the current Register of Copyrights and Director of the United States Copyright Office. Her testimony today before the House Judiciary Committee was, as expected, full of ideas for modernization of the copyright office which she sees as a top priority.

Maria also suggests that various issues including Music Licensing, Small Claims, Felony Streaming, Orphan works, Resale Royalty, Section 108 reform, improvements for persons with print impairment, and presumptions regarding section 1201 exceptions, have been studied by the Office and are ripe for legislative action. Her testimony additionally identifies other issues where the Office will conduct further study, and issues as to which the Office suggests action is needed but must occur in the courts or by other means.

Her remarks also included the announcement of the creation of The U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index. This Fair Use Index is a project undertaken by the Office of the Register in support of the 2013 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement of the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC). Fair use is a longstanding and vital aspect of American copyright law. The goal of the Index is to make the principles and application of fair use more accessible and understandable to the public by presenting a searchable database of court opinions, including by category and type of use (e.g., music, internet/digitization, parody).